Subscribe to Femina.in, India's fastest growing women's website

Femina has been capturing the essence of the Indian woman for 58 years now, and has evolved with her over the years bringing the world to her doorstep. And now, here's your chance to get the dope on everything--from celebrities and fashion, beauty and wellness, to lifestyle and relationships--delivered directly to your inbox. Plus expert tips, polls, contests and other interactive articles and a whole lot more!

4 must-reads for design enthusiasts

If your eyes dart around to take in everything at once every time you enter a well decorated space, and if your home is your friends’ reference point to designing their own, then no doubt you are a design enthusiast. But, if you want to rise above and be a connoisseur, then try stacking up your shelves with these brilliant handbooks from the doyens of interior design.

Billy Baldwin DecoratesBy Billy Baldwin

Billy Baldwin ruled the design world in the 70s with his out-of-the-box ideas and classy style. In his book Billy Baldwin Decorates (1972), the designer elaborates on an apartment he designed for Cole Porter in the Waldorf Towers. He describes the work as the most outstanding of all his accomplishments. The book not only walks us through the myriad methods he’s used to achieve the exceptional result, but also gives tips that are relevant even today.

The Language of Interior DesignBy Alexa Hampton

Alexa Hampton must have aced the nuances of interior design before sounding out the alphabet, what with having interior design legend Mark Hampton for a father. Today, an influential designer herself, Hampton has a say in everything that’s happening in the American interior design world. In her book The Language of Interior Design (2010) she puts down her experiences touring some of the most stunning residences in the world, and what made them stand out.

Design* Sponge at Home By Grace Bonney

Grace Bonney’s Design*Sponge—a blog that covers every topic known to the design world—was already a sleeper hit, before her Design* Sponge at Homehit bookstalls. The book, with its multifarious interior design offerings, instantly became a design enthusiast’s bible. An additional foreword from ace interior designer Jonathan Adler, makes it an even more interesting read.

The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect To Be BeautifulBy Myquillyn Smith

Smith in her book encourages her readers to overcome their inhibitions and take risks, where decorating their homes is concerned. With her book she asks us to see beauty in imperfections. The Nesting Place isfilled with stunning photographs with simple but creative tips that tell you exactly how you should do up your home. She gives us ideas to arrange, decorate and build a welcoming home.